S&P said the positive outlook was a signal that the sovereign rating could be raised over the next 24 months “if there are clearer signs the key political players are committed to the current political framework and that abrupt and unexpected political changes become unlikely”.

S&P Global Ratings has upgraded its outlook on Thailand’s sovereign credit rating to positive from stable, but it cautions that a return to political stability will not be enough to spur an economy beset by external challenges.

“The positive outlook reflects our assessment that political uncertainty in Thailand has begun to ease with the return of an elected government,” S&P said in a release.

“With progress in implementing national reforms and strategic plans, we believe policy continuity and political stability will improve.”

S&P Global Ratings

The ratings agency has affirmed its BBB+ (unchanged) long-term and A-2 short-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings, as well as its A- long-term and A-2 short-term local currency ratings.

Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said the upgrade by S&P follows previous increases by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Rating and Investment Information Inc.